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- #1. The 1913 World Series Was The Third Matchup Between These Two Teams. Twice In This Decade.
- #2. Home Run Baker Begins The Series Hot
- #3. Christy Mathewson Pitched Lights Out In Game 2
- #4. This Would Be The Last World Series For The Athletics In The Decade
- #5. The Two Teams Would Not Meet In The World Series Again Until The 1989 World Series
- #6. John McGraw Promised To End The Curse On His Team
- #7. It Would Be The Last World Series For Matty
#1. The 1913 World Series Was The Third Matchup Between These Two Teams. Twice In This Decade.
The New York Giants defeated the Philadelphia Athletics in the 1905 World Series. The Athletics for their revenge in 1911 when they defeated the Giants behind a fabulous series from Home Run Baker.
The third meeting would result in another Athletics victory and another frustrating ending for John McGraw.
This time, the series was not even close as the A's easily took care of the Giants in 5 games.
#2. Home Run Baker Begins The Series Hot
Home Run Baker gave the largest offensive output of any Athletics player in the 1911 World Series and was responsible for many runs scored.
He seemed to pick up where he left off in Game 1 of the series when he drove in three on three hits.
He would go on to bat .450 in the series with 7 RBIs. His hot bat continued throughout the 5 games and would play a significant role in thumping the Giants.
#3. Christy Mathewson Pitched Lights Out In Game 2
Mathewson had not seen much success in the postseason in the past couple of years. This was not entirely on him, as he had an ERA below 1.00 in the 1912 World Series and did not receive one win.
In Game 2, he pitched a 10-inning shutout. A game that he could have lost due to the Giants inability to create offense.
The start was reminiscent of his dominance in the 1905 World Series when he pitched 3 straight games without allowing an earned run.
#4. This Would Be The Last World Series For The Athletics In The Decade
At this point in the decade, the title of best team belonged to the Philadelphia Athletics. They managed to win 3 of the last 4 World Series (1910, 1911, 1913) and seemed poise to make multiple runs.
That would not happen with this team, despite them being competitive in most seasons.
Connie Mack still had one more World Series in him, but he would have to wait for 16 years to get it. However, his Athletics owned the first half of the decade with his philosophy of sound fundamentals and intelligent players.
#5. The Two Teams Would Not Meet In The World Series Again Until The 1989 World Series
After seeing so much of each other in the early years of the World Series, the Philadelphia Athletics and New York Giants would not see each other again until the 1989 series when the Oakland Athletics played their cross-town rival, the San Francisco Giants.
The two franchises had remained in the same league but traveled to the West Coast by that time. The result would be the same with the Athletics Sweeping the Giants.
However, the Giants would rebound and build many successful years in the 2000s.
#6. John McGraw Promised To End The Curse On His Team
The Giants had seen their share of heartbreak, as had their fans.
This would mark the second year they dominated the regular season only to fall short in the World Series. McGraw swore that he would end the curse on his team!
He would not get another chance for 4 more years. The rest of the decade would belong to the Boston Red Sox and their star pitcher, Babe Ruth.
#7. It Would Be The Last World Series For Matty
Christy Mathewson was John McGraw's most reliable player and had always seemed to pitch well despite the lack of offensive production from his team.
This would be the last year he would win 20 games and the last time he would play in the World Series. He would see the championship stage again but as a manager.
Mathewson would enlist to fight in World War I. When he arrived in France, he was accidentally gassed during a chemical training exercise and subsequently developed tuberculosis.